Published on Operation World (http://www.operationworld.org)
Feb 23: Australia, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Australia
Commonwealth of Australia
Pacific
See Prayer Information
Geography
Area: 7,682,300 sq kmThis island continent is the world’s driest, but better watered in the east, southeast and southwest coastal regions, where most live in highly concentrated urban areas. There are three permanently inhabited dependent territories: Norfolk Island (35 sq km; 2,037 pop), Christmas Is. (135 sq km; 1,408 pop), Cocos Is. (14 sq km; 591 pop).
Population: 21,507,384 Annual Growth: 1.07%
Capital: Canberra
Urbanites: 89.1%
HDI Rank: 2 of 182 (UN Human Development Reports 2009)
Peoples
Peoples: 143 (8% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Official language: English. 20% of the population use English as a second language Languages: 207 All languages
Religion
Largest Religion: Christian| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 14,947,632 | 69.50 | 0.5 |
| Evangelicals | 3,106,949 | 14.4 | 1.1 |
Challenge for Prayer
Evangelicals are a dynamic and diverse entity. They are strong in the Sydney Anglican diocese and a growing minority in the Melbourne diocese. Some mainline churches have evangelical majorities; all have at least significant and active minorities. The greatest growth is among Pentecostal/charismatic groups – put together, they would constitute Australia’s third-largest denomination. Some of this is transfer growth from other churches, but much is also from conversion growth. Pray for the following issues:a) Mainline churches are in varying degrees of polarization over issues such as ordination of women, homosexuality and traditional church structures, all leading to further division.
b) Christian holistic ministry – such as ministry to the disabled, to addicts, to the poor and homeless – is an area of great opportunity, since the state cannot meet all the needs and increasingly leaves such activities to charities. But increasing government legislation and controls in these areas create many hurdles that must be overcome.
c) The ideological debate with secular materialists may be the greatest battle facing the Church. Issues of human origin, human sexuality and the existence of God are hot topics for debate. Pray that evangelicals communicate the truth in love; pray for a bold witness to the uniqueness of Jesus that comes through with humility and compassion.
For an additional 8 Challenges for Prayer see Operation World book, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM.
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Australia.
Christmas Island
Pacific
Geography
Area: 135 sq km2,360 km northwest of Perth.
Population: 1,600 Annual Growth: 1.30%
Capital: Flying Fish Cove
Peoples
Peoples: 7 (14% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Religion
Largest Religion: Buddhist| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 291 | 18.19 | 1.4 |
| Evangelicals | 47 | 3.0 | 1.8 |
| Buddhist | 576 | 36.00 |
More Information
The Operation World book, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM provide far more information and fuel for prayer for the people of Christmas Island.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Pacific
Geography
Area: 14 sq kmTwo atolls and 27 coral islands halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka.
Population: 670 Annual Growth: 0.92%
Capital: West Island
Peoples
Peoples: 6 (17% unreached) All peoplesUnreached Peoples Prayer Card
Religion
Largest Religion: Muslim| Religion | Pop % | Ann Gr | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christians | 130 | 19.40 | 0.0 |
| Evangelicals | 9 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| Muslim | 478 | 71.40 |
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